Lighthouse of Brookfield

Pros

• The staff are very friendly and have the skills needed to assist elderly people with advanced dementia.
• Ellen, the head nurse, is extremely knowledgeable and has the experience to ensure that residents are cared for.
• The facility helped make the father's final days peaceful.
• Most of the mother's caregivers were amazing and provided loving, caring support.
• The caregivers tirelessly work every day to keep residents clean, dressed, fed, and exercised.
• In the past, there were Christmas parties, holiday parties, and picnics with occasional outings.

Cons

• The management leaves much to be desired.
• Management acted like it was an inconvenience to help locate the mother's hospice nurse after her passing.
• Management forbids family members of deceased former residents from returning to visit, which upset the family.
• The facility has gone downhill in the past three years.
• Two caregivers are expected to care for 15 residents with significant behavior problems and perform numerous duties beyond caregiving.
• Administrative support is minimal.
• Day staff are expected to prepare residents for bed before dinner because there is only one caregiver overnight.
• The maintenance crew is not present regularly, and there has been no onsite regular nurse for several months.
• There have been no Christmas/holiday parties or outings recently, and no recreation director.
• The family has not seen a survey in over a year and would give zero stars if possible.
• The main phone line is unhelpful, and the director does not return calls.

Review

The experiences shared paint a complex picture of care that on one hand carried moments of real warmth and dignity, and on the other was marred by systemic shortcomings that left families frustrated and disappointed. In one account, the father received treatment that was respectful, compassionate, and capable, especially for someone living with advanced dementia. The staff were described as friendly, skilled, and sincerely attentive to his needs, with Ellen, the head nurse, singled out for her extensive knowledge and leadership. The reviewer credits New Perspective with helping to make the father's final days peaceful and meaningful, a testament to the difference that thoughtful, person-centered care can make during a difficult time.

Conversely, the mother's experience reveals a far more conflicted and troubling side of the same facility. After spending two and a half years there, the majority of her caregivers were praised as loving and caring, and the emotional warmth they brought to her daily life left a strong, positive impression on the family. Yet this praise sits alongside a deep dive into management practices that feel misaligned with the caregiving passion evident on the front lines. When the mother passed, the family faced obstacles in locating the hospice nurse and arranging a meaningful farewell. They were told that family members of deceased former residents are not allowed to return, a policy that struck them as cruel and unnecessary. The emotional bond they formed with staff and residents made this restriction particularly painful, and they felt shut out from a place that had once felt like a second home during a crucial period of caregiving and grief.

Beyond the grief and policy friction, the critique extends to what the reviewer describes as a broader decline in management and operational realities. The facility, they argue, has deteriorated over roughly three years. The caregiving staff are overwhelmed, with two caregivers for fifteen residents who exhibit significant behavioral challenges. These caregivers are not only tending to basic needs - cooking, toileting, dressing, cleaning, laundry, and medication administration - but also attempting to entertain and supervise residents. The strain of these multiple roles is compounded by sparse administrative support, creating a feeling that those on the front lines are carrying an unfair burden without the backing they need to do the job well. The night shift is described as particularly challenging, with only one caregiver on duty from 6 PM to 6 AM, which leaves families worried about safety, comfort, and individualized attention during the overnight hours.

The complaints about the facility's physical and administrative infrastructure continue with the assertion that maintenance is irregular and that there has been no regular onsite nurse for months. The sense of stagnation is palpable when the reviewer notes that past celebrations - Christmas parties, holiday gatherings, picnics, and occasional outings - have vanished. The absence of a recreation director is noted as part of a broader loss of the social fabric that once kept residents engaged and connected. The reviewer also points to a lack of transparency and accountability, mentioning that they have not seen a survey in over a year and would not have confidence in the care quality without external oversight. The sentiment that there is no incentive or mechanism for improvement looms large, casting doubt on the facility's commitment to continuous, quality care.

Communication problems compound these practical concerns. The family describes calling the main number as a dead end, with staff directing callers to the director, who allegedly never returns calls. This breakdown in communication feeds a growing sense of abandonment and frustration, reinforcing the perception that frontline caregivers are carrying the weight of resident care while the leadership fails to provide the necessary guidance, support, and responsiveness. The overall tone of these accounts is one of disillusionment: a place once valued for its potential and its people has come to feel neglected, unresponsive, and increasingly out of step with the very standards of care families expect when entrusting their loved ones to a facility.

Taken together, the stories present a nuanced portrait. There are undeniable moments of genuine care, compassion, and competence - the kind of care that affirms the value of each resident's dignity and comfort. These moments are housed within a broader context of systemic challenges: overburdened staff, minimal administrative backing, insufficient nursing coverage, gaps in maintenance, and a policy environment that can feel cold or punitive, especially in situations surrounding mourning and ongoing relationships with caregivers after a resident's passing. The contrast between individual acts of kindness and the larger organizational shortcomings creates a sense that the care team is doing its best within a system that may not be fully aligned with the needs and values of residents and their families.

If there is a path forward, it would likely involve strengthening leadership and policy clarity, ensuring adequate staffing across all shifts, and restoring the social and recreational life that previously enriched residents' days. Reengaging with families after a loss in a constructive, compassionate way - and allowing for meaningful, ongoing connections with the caregivers who formed trusted bonds - could help bridge the gap between the warmth found at the bedside and the broader administration that currently feels distant to many families. Investing in consistent nursing coverage, reliable maintenance, and a proactive approach to surveys and external oversight could also restore confidence that the facility is committed to continuous improvement and to honoring the trust families place in it.

In the end, the dual memories - one of serene, respectful care that helped a beloved father face his final days with dignity, and one of frustration, policy friction, and perceived neglect that shadowed a mother's later years - coexist in these reflections. They underscore a fundamental truth: the quality of a care facility is measured not only by the kindness of its staff but also by the strength of its leadership, its willingness to listen to families, and its capacity to sustain a supportive, enriching environment for all residents, every day. The hope expressed by these families is for a future in which the care team's dedication is matched by responsive, compassionate administration, transparent communication, and a renewed commitment to the holistic well-being of every resident and their loved ones.

This part of Brookfield, Wisconsin offers a convenient and well-rounded community for senior living. With multiple pharmacies, restaurants, parks, theaters, physicians, hospitals, cafes, and places of worship within a short distance, residents have easy access to essential services and amenities. The proximity to various healthcare facilities such as Prohealth Care Medical Centers and Aurora Advanced Healthcare ensures quality medical care is readily available. The abundance of dining options ranging from casual to upscale at establishments like Chick-Fil-A and Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant provides diverse culinary experiences. Additionally, the presence of parks like Greenfield Park and Fox Brook Park offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Overall, this neighborhood provides a vibrant yet peaceful environment suitable for seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient place to call home.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.7 miles)
• Pick 'n Save Pharmacy (1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Metro Market Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• Aurora Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• Walgreens (3 miles)

Restaurants

• Champps Americana (0.8 miles)
• Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant (1.1 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1.2 miles)
• Portillo's (1.4 miles)
• Mission BBQ (1.7 miles)
• Kopp's Frozen Custard Stand (1.9 miles)
• Cafe Hollander (2.5 miles)

Parks

• The Big Backyard (1.7 miles)
• Dousman Stage Coach Inn Museum (2 miles)
• Greenfield Park (2.8 miles)
• Elm Grove Village Park (2.9 miles)
• Fox Brook Park (4.6 miles)
• Wil-O-Way Underwood Park (4.8 miles)
• Hoyt Park (5.6 miles)

Theaters

• Silverspot Cinema - The Corners of Brookfield (2.4 miles)
• Ridge Cinema New Berlin, Wi (4.8 miles)

Physicians

• Prohealth Care Medical Centers (2.7 miles)
• Aurora Advanced Healthcare (2.7 miles)
• New Berlin Family Practice Clinic (2.7 miles)
• West Suburban Center For Arthritis (2.7 miles)
• Wheaton Franciscan Medical Group (3.4 miles)
• Lincoln Avenue Clinic (3.6 miles)
• Aurora Health Center (4.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Rogers Memorial Hospital (3.7 miles)
• Surgicenter - Children's Wisconsin (4.6 miles)
• Froedtert Pavilion (5.3 miles)
• Aurora Psychiatric Hospital (6 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (3.8 miles)
• Panera Bread (4.3 miles)
• Mama D's Coffee (5.1 miles)
• Starbucks (5.2 miles)
• Starbucks (5.5 miles)
• The Gingerbread House (6.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• First Congregational Church (5.3 miles)
• Honey Creek Church (5.5 miles)